Where it all began…
The T20 Blast, originally called the Twenty20 Cup, was the first professional Twenty20 league in the world. Launched by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) in 2003, the competition has seen 20 exhilarating finals and has been a vital part of the growth of the T20 sport on a global scale. Across the world T20 has since become a massive sport, with the Indian Premier League and the Pakistan Super League becoming the most watched sporting leagues in their respective countries.
How it works
18 first-class counties are split geographically into north and south where 9 teams compete in each group. Each team will play all 8 other teams twice in the season, once home and once away. After these matches are concluded, the top four places from both north and south tournaments proceed to the quarter-finals. After the quarter-finals the four remaining teams battle it out on the iconic Finals Day at Edgbaston Stadium, where two semi-finals and the final are all played on one action-packed day of T20 cricket.
The Vitality T20 Blast Finals Day has been held at Edgbaston Stadium for the past 10 years and always has a packed-out crowd and an amazing atmosphere. Finals day brings the T20 Blast to a close with three epic matches all being played on the same day – expect fast wickets, big hits, and outstanding catches.
Previous Winners
One of the best things about T20 Blast is that it’s anyone’s game to win or lose, in the past 20 years it has been played, 13 different teams have lifted the trophy. It is a competition with all to play for where every run really does count - quite literally! This year, the 2022 winners Hampshire Hawks beat Lancashire Lightning by just 1 run! Hampshire Hawks have now caught up with Leicestershire Foxes as the team with the most wins, both teams have now been crowned champions three times.
Mascot Race
One of the most highly anticipated parts of Finals Day is of course… the one, the only - the mascot race! The mascot race has been a feature since the competition started and has proved year on year to be a crowd favourite. The 18 mascots from each of the county teams compete on a course filled with ball pits, army nets and many other obstacles across the Edgbaston ground to win - not surprisingly, it is what some consider to be the most important medal of the day! The race is always hilarious and very competitive, roaring crowds cheer on their mascot as they stumble around the ground.
Finals Day 2023
T20 Vitality Blast Finals Day will return to Edgbaston Stadium in 2023 for another exhilarating end to the competition. With the 2022 season coming down to just one run it proves just how intense and exciting the day can be. With four teams going in, only one can lift the trophy, who will it be in 2023? Can Hampshire or Leicestershire secure a fourth title, or will the home side; the Birmingham Bears rise to victory? Secure your place with all-inclusive hospitality now!
